Understanding the Different Types of Courier Deliveries
As e-commerce continues to grow globally, courier delivery service grows in importance. The global parcel shipping market is slated to increase up to 20% by the end of 2018. Courier deliveries cover a wide range of needs, including international shipping, next-day
Courier services compile several services for the delivery of portable goods, documents, and mail. As there is a wide range of products involved and each customer has different needs, courier companies offer several types of courier services. When planning to trust courier services to ship your goods, it is always a good idea to choose the service that meets your expectations. There are several services to choose from, and your choice should be based on several factors:
Courier Delivery Priorities
In order to separate the standard from the exceptional, you need to prioritize which aspects of delivery are most important to you. Some delivery services offer guarantees on certain types of delivery.
For example, is the arrival of your packages directly tied to profit? Meaning, the sooner they are received, the higher your profits? For some, getting the absolute fastest delivery isn’t a priority, reliable shipments are.
Is your overhead under a strict budget? This is where value shipping prices can really benefit businesses. This is especially true when dealing with big, heavy packages.
Logistics
What about location: are your deliveries made locally or internationally? If you’re dealing with just local or domestic customers, you should focus on couriers based nearby. This will save you a lot of time and money, even if offshore companies have lower rates. Taxes, fees, and permits add up fast.
Lastly, you should consider whether your packages demand special care. Check whether the courier specializes in the transport of your packages. If it’s food or medical supplies, they need to have sufficient refrigeration capabilities.
Highly fragile or expensive goods need special care, too. The courier must practice special handling protocols and security checks. Don’t settle for the first shipping service with a low rate and fast shipping time.
Types of Courier Services
Shipping companies are generally divided into a few major categories. There are some companies that specialize in specific types of shipping. Then, there are courier services who cover as many types of deliveries as possible.
Standard Courier services
Your standard courier deliveries are those that stick within the most common set of parameters. You’ll get the most dependable deliveries for small and medium parcel sizes. The maximum weight tends to stay below a certain threshold, i.e. 100 pounds.
Standard courier service may not be a good idea for businesses that cannot predict the weight of all their parcels. Fees associated with exceeding these weight limits can add up.
International Services
Usually, international services cost a high premium for standard courier companies. Those that specialize in international delivery will offer the best rates. They have access to better connections with port authorities, acquisition of permits, and tax discounts.
International services include air freight and sea freight. Finding a courier that specializes in international shipping is important for staying legal. Not all countries are easily accessible for political reasons.
It’s valuable to find a courier who knows how to navigate international laws.
Rush and On-Demand
It’s good to have access to express delivery services for emergencies. From customer returns, medical emergencies, to shipments of important documents. These services are not always dependable at your average courier.
Same-day deliveries aren’t offered by all companies, either. Rush deliveries include a pickup in under an hour and delivered to a nearby destination.
Additional Services
Outside of the standard three types of delivery, courier services may provide any of the following:
Pallet Shipments and Warehousing
Doing business in high volume often calls for pallet shipments to get products distributed across the country. Pallets also make keeping track of inventory much easier. Missing an entire pallet is a much bigger red flag than a few products here or there.
Pallets that needs transporting to a warehouse for sorting or storage can also be handled by couriers. Some offer their own warehousing, so you don’t have to pay another third party to keep track. The fewer hands that your parcels have to go through, the better.
Luggage Delivery
Besides large packages, couriers can also be handy for the delivery of luggage. This saves you the time and money of moving your luggage during business trips. Avoid broken or damaged luggage by having a courier service wrap them in protective coverings.
Couriers can pick-up, ship, and drop off luggage at any location. This includes electronic tracking info, just like any other major shipment. Standard shipping confirmations apply, so nobody else can sign for your stuff.
Extra Insurance
Last, but not least is the expanded types of delivery insurance that come with professional courier deliveries. Standard shipping insurance only covers declared value on packages. For things that are very fragile or contain a greater value than standard rates, you’ll want to have extra insurance.
Couriers that offer extra insurance are more trustworthy and confident in their abilities. Don’t bother with shipping companies that make you wait a long time during and after filing a claim.
Third party insurance options are also very costly. Again, you have to be able to communicate with them and the shipping company.
Finding the Right Courier Service for You
With so many delivery companies out there, it can be hard to filter through the noise. Now that you have a good idea of the different types of courier deliveries offered, you should start researching companies. Look at the client testimonials and reviews.
Ask for a free quote from them to see how they stack up. They should be able to get back to you quickly. You can get a quick quote from us anytime. ASAP Courier specializes in many different services and leads Florida in both customer service and value of services.
If it’s not ASAP, it’s not as fast as possible.
